I had the great good fortune to see The Mikado last night at the English National Opera. I always delight in seeing the inside of a new theatre as well as the production itself, and this was my first visit to the London Coliseum. Though it is a beautiful theatre I found its foyer and … Continue reading
Tag Archives: London
The Ice Bear
I don’t know if you’ve ever carved an ice sculpture. Neither had I until last Saturday, when my flatmate dragged me out to the London Ice Sculpture Festival at Canary Wharf. The large ice sculptures around us gave an overarching impression of grace and majesty, like silent statues of dancers. This did not in any … Continue reading
Meeting the Public
On Tuesday there was a public meeting to discuss some problems in Wapping Woods. There have been instances of mugging and knife crime there lately, so a meeting was called to ‘reassure’ the public. I went, not because I feel unsafe in Wapping, but because I am new to the area and wanted to get … Continue reading
Epiphany
I have frequently commented upon the streak of madness that simmers gently below the surface of English people. You might think, at first appearance, that the English are rational creatures. Polite, thoughtful, reserved: these are all characteristics for which the English are renowned throughout the globe. However, I posit that it is all a ruse, … Continue reading
Thanksgiving, London Style (or, Burninating the Pilgrims)
Expat Thanksgiving, as anyone will tell you, is always a little bit of a challenge. There is the sourcing of ingredients like canned pumpkin, cornflour, and cranberries. There is the logistical challenge of making sure you have enough pans to cook all the multitudinous requisite dishes. (I may have created a Gantt chart for this. … Continue reading
Fog of London
It’s starting to get toward that time of year where I get up in the dark, ride to work through dark tunnels, work all day under florescent lighting, leave work after dark, and arrive home in the dark. This is not my favorite thing. But London in darkness can be a wonderful city to behold, … Continue reading
An Opportunity of Kindness
Since my last two adventures were rather distressing, I wanted to remind you that all is not fraught with peril and angst here in London. Though frankly, many things are, and it’s easy for me to forget the wondrous things. I recently referred to my London life as ‘vinegary’ and I stand firmly by my … Continue reading
How Not to Catch a Bus
It took no small effort to push myself up from the gutter in which I was lying. I had seen the bus, I had run for it, and indeed I had caught it. But not before catching my foot on a wayward slab of pavement and flying headlong into the street. I hit the ground … Continue reading
Fitzrovia Radio and Cantina
It being the last weekend of the London Wonderground festival, I thought I would stock myself up until next season by going to two shows one after the other. The delectable Fitzrovia Radio Hour, upon whom I have written many times before, were first with a new show fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe. I was … Continue reading
The Fox in Darkness
We are now installed in the Wapping flat, boxes slowly being unpacked, bubble wrap slowly discarded. Alas we won’t have internet until oh, say, the next millennium, so my missives will be few and far between. But the adventures reign unabated, starting with one that happened while I was still at my friend’s house in … Continue reading
In a Merry Hour: Caitlin E McDonald 